Themed collection 150th Anniversary Collection: Raman Spectroscopy and SERS

We review the recent progress in semiconductor-based SERS. We mainly discuss the enhancement mechanism, SERS-active materials for semiconductors, and potential strategies to improve the SERS performance.

In this review we discuss surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based techniques for the multiplexed detection of pathogenic microorganisms and their transition into point-of-use detection technologies in the field.

SERS and SESORS for the detection and localisation of AuNPs in a live chick embryo tumour model.

Chiral interaction-based SERS discrimination of phenylalanine (Phe) enantiomers, with the Raman scattering enhancement degree of D-Phe being 50-fold greater than that of L-Phe.

Raman spectra of tissues with shifted excitation to remove unwanted background signals.

The combination of dielectrophoresis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy provides an effective method for analyzing the Raman characteristics and the dielectrophoretic behavior of polystyrene beads and U-87MG cells in a microfluidic environment.

Raman spectroscopy and machine learning is used in combination to detect COVID-19 positive saliva in liquid form.

Monte Carlo simulations of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) produce widely-applicable, quantitative frameworks for optimizing and interpreting SORS experiments.

The study demonstrates the potential of advanced vibrational spectroscopy to reveal the complex molecular composition of cerumen, suggesting its promising application as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for identifying disease-related biomarkers.

Coupling Raman and VIS spectroscopy enables the study of AgNP aggregations induced by surfactants.

Raman spectroscopy and machine learning were combined in this proof-of-concept study for the race identification of a urine stain donor with 90% accuracy. This method offers a powerful new tool for immediate suspect profiling at the crime scene.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and partial least squares regression was utilized to determine the dominant bacteria in mixtures of two common vaginal microbes in both pure and complex fluids.

SERS in combination with chemometric techniques has been used to simultaneously detect and quantify malodourous thiols which are associated with axillary malodour in multiplex solutions.

A cohort of control/irradiated mice were metabolically profiled, via Raman spectrocopy, for associations with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Machine learning methods revealed disease-associated metabolites.

Development of an advanced portable micro-SORS prototype combined with SERDS.

A 3D printed flow cell for SERS detection was developed that incorporated sheath flow to confine analytes near the SERS substrate. The device was optimized by analyzing both molecules and particles with and without sheath flow for SERS detection.

A sandwich assay format was developed to detect glucose in a simple, sensitive and selective manner. Using SERS-based glucose sandwich assays, the utility, specificity and sensitivity of this strategy was demonstrated.

Raman spectroscopic technology for quick and accurate assessment of tumor resection margins.

Raman spectroscopy approach based on dried droplets, for mixed UTI bacterial pathogens identification.

Milk is a popular dairy product that provides various nutrients, but consuming too much saturated fat from milk can increase the risk of diseases and obesity.

Combining SERS and immunohistochemistry provides greater insight into how AuNPs distribute in in vitro 3D MTS models.

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of primary human T-cell spectra showed clear separation of different fixatives. Saline dry-fixed cell spectra showed better preservation of donor-to donor variability and improved retention of Raman band shapes.

In vivo Raman spectroscopy coupled with machine learning methods was used for tissue diagnostics of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the colon and rectum.

The use of Raman spectroscopy to determine the radiation response of human glioma cells and how this response differs depending on the cell's position in the cell cycle.

Ex situ biofilm samples were used to study the interactions between SERS-enhancing Ag and Au particles and biofilm components without the complexity associated with highly structured in situ biofilms.

Intestinal inflammation-driving T cells within the epithelial layer of the small intestine can be identified and further characterized by Raman spectroscopy ex vivo.

Chemical conjugation enables SERS detection of sugars that are important in numerous biological processes, from providing energy to modifying proteins to alter their function.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an over the counter drug that is often used in suicide attempts.  We have developed a SERS based assay that allows for the quantification of paracetamol and its three major metabolites.

GBR-NMF-RF-SHAP model helped identify a wide range of radiation response biomarkers and hypoxia indicators (e.g., glycogen, lipids, DNA, amino acids) in Raman spectra acquired from H460 human lung cancer cells and H460 xenografts.

A lateral flow assay, based on Surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanotags (SERS-LFA), is proposed for simultaneous quantification of multiple AD biomarkers with high sensitivity.

Solution-based SERS detection by using a portable Raman instrument has emerged as an important tool due to its simplicity, and flexibility for rapid and on-site screening of analyte molecules.

Intracellular H₂O₂ in single living cells was visualized by SERS technology using label-free bifunctional Fe₃O₄@Ag nanoparticles with ultra-sensitivity.

Combined crystallographic and spectroscopic methods were used to investigate the heterogeneity of breast calcifications found associated with ductal carcinoma in situ, revealing distinctive patterns in protein distribution and mineral composition.

Beer, mineral water and tea are all polluted with microplastics without exception, which is discovered in a microscopic survey.

The respiratory activity and lipid metabolism depending on the degree of oocyte maturation can be assessed using resonance Raman spectroscopy in a non-invasive manner.

EVs derived from normal ovarian (hIOSE) and ovarian cancer (OVCAR3, OV-90, EOC6, EOC18) cells were analysed by SERS. The SERS spectra of normal and cancer EVs were differentiated by PCA and machine learning, through which we achieved >99% accuracy.

A multifunctional nanocarrier based on SERS traceable and dual-targeted graphene oxide for the dual-drug delivery with enhanced combinational therapy.

Identification of osteosarcoma by combining SERS with MALDI-TOF MS profiling of plasma-derived exosomes.

Hyperspectral Raman imaging of amyloid plaques and lipid halo in the brains of mice were able to differentiate control, young and aged Alzheimer's disease transgenic mouse models.

Duplex SERS-based lateral flow testing for C. diff bacterial infection using new biomarker, SlpA, and ToxB within 20 minutes.

A spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) line-mapping scheme was explored as a tool for the measurement of particle size.

Multimodal optical imaging was used for characterization of amyloid-β plaques in mouse brain tissues. We obtained high-resolution images for different biomarkers and investigated vibrational fingerprints that could be used for diagnostic purposes.

Modified gold nanorod arrays are used as SERS substrates for the detection of atrazine.

Raman and infrared are used to measure dynamics in bacterial metabolism by employing stable isotope probing with temporal acquisition. The work is complemented by SIMS for confirmation of ¹³C incorporation into bacterial biomass.

Spray coating paper with plasmonic aggregates/hydroxyethylcellulose solution allows fabrication of cheap SERS active substrates for direct analysis of protein/mud samples.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with a steadily increasing mortality rate.